Book description
Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five arrives as an audiobook with a power that transcends the page. The author himself narrates, lending the text its raw, unmistakable voice-a dry wit, a weary cadence, and a quiet fury that makes every word land like a punch. This isn't just a recording; it's a direct conduit to Vonnegut's mind, sharpening the novel's piercing critique of war and time itself.
The story follows Billy Pilgrim, a man who "unsticks" in time, reliving the Dresden firebombing alongside his alien abduction adventures. Vonnegut, a POW who survived that 1945 massacre, spent decades wrestling with how to articulate the horror. The audiobook amplifies that struggle. You hear the weight in his pauses, the deliberate slowness when describing the city's destruction, the way he undercuts tragedy with phrases like "So it goes." That refrain-repeated after every death or disaster-becomes a mantra, its rhythm deepening in the spoken word.
Fifty years after its 1969 release, the novel's relevance feels urgent. Vonnegut captures political disillusionment and PTSD long before those terms were common, framing them through a lens of absurdity and dark humor. The audiobook makes this timeless perspective immediate. When Billy witnesses Dresden burning, Vonnegut's delivery strips away any romanticism, leaving only the chilling reality: "The whole city was burning." You don't just read the horror; you hear it.
This format also honors Vonnegut's genre-blending genius. The sci-fi elements-trapped in a spaceship, meeting Tralfamadorians-gain surreal texture through narration. The alien dialogue, delivered with deadpan precision, feels less like fantasy and more like a coping mechanism for trauma. Similarly, the satire of postwar American life (the optometrist's mundane routine, the war profiteers) lands with sharper irony when voiced.
Critics once called Vonnegut's work "too edgy" for schools. The audiobook, however, makes his message impossible to ignore. His frankness about violence, the absurdity of war, and the cost of silence resonates louder now than ever. In an era of ongoing conflict and anxiety, Billy Pilgrim's fractured timeline mirrors our own collective disorientation. Vonnegut's voice-calm, unflinching-offers a rare kind of clarity: war is senseless, and storytelling is resistance.
The narration's intimacy is key. Hearing Vonnegut's own voice, decades later, transforms the book from a historical artifact into a living conversation. You feel his frustration with how society processes trauma, his refusal to let history repeat. When he says, "All moments, past, present and future, always have existed," the audio version makes it feel less like philosophy and more like a truth whispered directly to you.
This isn't just an audiobook; it's a cultural anchor. It proves that great writing thrives in new formats, especially when the author's voice is its heartbeat. Slaughterhouse-Five remains a beacon-not just for its antiwar message, but for showing how to speak truth with humor, humanity, and unshakable honesty. Listen closely. The echoes of Dresden, and of our own time, are still speaking.
MicroStar
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Trash Master
ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
Houston Rocket
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Jester
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Phoenix Tetra
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Find It Girl
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DragonBlood
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier β this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. π±π§ The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Washer
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click.
Commando
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Snapdragon
The narrator's voices are so soothing β a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ
Pink Hopper
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StormCake
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Ship Whip
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Sβmore Vixen
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Innocent Ghost
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McDreamy
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Berry Succubus
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Engine Eye
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. Simplifying audiobook management β this app's functionality is a true asset.
Don Stab
With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures.
Armed Hawk
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience